Find Marriage Records in Terre Haute
Marriage records for Terre Haute are issued and maintained by the Vigo County Clerk's Office at the Vigo County Courthouse on South 3rd Street. Indiana law under IC 31-11 gives county clerks the exclusive authority to issue marriage licenses, so no city office in Terre Haute handles this function. Vigo County requires appointments for marriage license services, and the county charges one of the lower license fees in Indiana at $18 for residents. For historical records going back to 1818, the Vigo County Public Library holds a local marriage database that researchers can access.
Terre Haute Marriage Records Quick Facts
Vigo County Clerk Office for Terre Haute Marriage Records
The Vigo County Clerk, LeAnna Moore, handles all marriage license applications and marriage record maintenance for Terre Haute and the rest of Vigo County. The office is at 33 South 3rd Street, Courthouse 1st Floor, Terre Haute, IN 47807. The phone is 812-462-3215. An appointment is required before visiting for marriage license services. Do not show up without one. Call the clerk's office to schedule, or check for any available online booking options on the county's website.
Vigo County's resident fee of $18 is lower than what most Indiana counties charge. Many counties set the fee at $25, while Vigo and some others maintain a lower rate. The out-of-state fee is $60, again slightly lower than the $65 most counties charge. These fees apply when both applicants show up together in person at their appointment.
| Office | Vigo County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 33 South 3rd Street, Courthouse 1st Floor, Terre Haute, IN 47807 |
| Phone | 812-462-3215 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday (appointment required) |
| Fee (Resident) | $18 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $60 |
| County Page | Vigo County Marriage Records |
Indiana law requires both applicants to appear together at the appointment. One person cannot apply alone. Bring a government-issued photo ID that shows your date of birth. If either party was previously married, bring the final divorce decree or, if the prior spouse died, the death certificate. The clerk's staff will go over your documents and issue the license if everything is in order.
Marriage License Application in Terre Haute
Indiana provides an online pre-application at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/. Completing this before your appointment can streamline the process at the clerk's office. The online form gathers the basic information the clerk needs, but it does not replace the in-person appointment. Both applicants still need to appear together at their scheduled time to sign the application and receive the actual license document.
The license is valid for 60 days after the clerk issues it. Indiana does not impose a waiting period, so you can hold the ceremony the same day you get the license if you want. After 60 days, the license expires. Plan your wedding date with the 60-day window in mind before you schedule your clerk appointment. Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant returns the signed license to the Vigo County Clerk, who then records it and can issue certified copies.
Terre Haute City Clerk Kenneth McVey handles city government records. His email is Clerk@terrehaute.in.gov and phone is (812) 244-2153. City clerk records cover things like ordinances and council minutes. Marriage licenses and marriage records are not part of the city clerk's job. All marriage document needs go through the Vigo County Clerk at 812-462-3215.
Searching Terre Haute Marriage Records
The Indiana courts system runs a free public search tool covering marriage records from 1993 to present. The Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL includes Vigo County records and is available at any time without a fee or account. Search by name and filter by county to find Terre Haute marriages. The tool returns basic details like both parties' names and the date the license was issued.
For records before 1993, the Vigo County Clerk at 812-462-3215 is the primary contact. The Vigo County Public Library also maintains a local marriage records database covering the period 1818 to 1958. This is a valuable local resource for anyone researching Terre Haute family history. The library's collection bridges the gap between early county records and the county clerk's paper files, making Vigo County one of the better counties in Indiana for historical marriage research.
Historical Marriage Records: 1818 to 1958
The Vigo County Public Library holds a marriage records database that spans from 1818, the county's early history, through 1958. This is an unusually long and well-organized local historical collection. Researchers can use this database to trace Terre Haute marriages across more than a century before the county clerk's modern records begin. Check directly with the library for access instructions and any fees or registration requirements for the database.
The Indiana State Library Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ also holds older Vigo County marriage data and is a good complement to the local library's collection. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/ rounds out the research options for deep genealogical work on Terre Haute families. Together, these three resources cover Vigo County marriage history from the early 1800s forward. The Indiana State Library genealogy section at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm provides guidance on how to use these collections effectively.
Certified Copies and Indiana Marriage Record Law
Certified copies of marriage records are legally recognized documents under IC 16-37-1-10. They carry the clerk's seal and signature and are accepted by government agencies, courts, insurance companies, and other institutions as official proof of a marriage. To get a certified copy of a Terre Haute marriage record, contact the Vigo County Clerk at 812-462-3215 or visit the courthouse at 33 South 3rd Street. Have both parties' names and a date of marriage ready.
Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana marriage records are public documents. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ also provides certified copies through its statewide database for an $8 search fee. This is a good option if you need a copy of a marriage that occurred anywhere in Indiana, not just in Vigo County. Indiana's marriage statutes in IC 31-11 govern all aspects of the license and record process for Terre Haute residents.